notice and note signposts pdf

Notice and Note Signposts⁚ An Overview

Notice and Note, by Kylene Beers and Bob Probst, offers six key signposts to enhance close reading. These signposts help readers identify crucial moments within a text, fostering deeper comprehension and independent thought. The guide provides model lessons and insightful questions for effective teaching.

The Six Key Signposts

Notice and Note highlights six key signposts that signal significant moments in a text, prompting deeper engagement and analysis. These signposts aren’t merely literary devices; they’re authorial choices that reveal meaning and purpose. First, Contrasts and Contradictions highlight conflicting viewpoints or unexpected turns, revealing complexity. Questions pinpoint moments of uncertainty or mystery, prompting further investigation. Words of the Wiser identify insightful pronouncements from authoritative figures, offering valuable perspectives. Aha Moments signify pivotal realizations or epiphanies, marking shifts in understanding. Tough Choices showcase critical decisions with significant consequences, demanding careful consideration. Lastly, Repeated Words and Phrases emphasize key themes and ideas, reinforcing their importance throughout the narrative. Mastering these signposts empowers readers to actively participate in the meaning-making process, moving beyond passive consumption to critical engagement.

Contrasts and Contradictions⁚ Identifying Conflicts

The “Contrasts and Contradictions” signpost in Notice and Note focuses on identifying conflicting ideas, actions, or characters within a text. These discrepancies often serve as crucial plot points or thematic elements, highlighting complexities and revealing deeper meaning. Recognizing these conflicts requires careful attention to details like contrasting character traits, opposing viewpoints, or unexpected plot twists. For instance, a character’s actions might contradict their stated beliefs, revealing hypocrisy or inner turmoil. Similarly, a stark contrast between two settings can illuminate thematic differences or foreshadow significant events. By pinpointing these contradictions, readers develop a more nuanced understanding of the narrative, uncovering hidden motivations and exploring the multifaceted nature of the characters and themes presented by the author. Analyzing these conflicts leads to a more profound comprehension of the story’s central message.

Questions⁚ Uncovering Curiosity and Mystery

The “Questions” signpost in the Notice and Note framework highlights the power of questioning in enhancing comprehension. When a reader encounters questions posed by characters, or questions that arise from puzzling plot points or unclear motivations, it signals a significant moment worthy of closer examination. These questions can be explicit, directly asked within the text, or implicit, arising from the reader’s own engagement with the narrative. Uncovering the answers to these questions often leads to a deeper understanding of the characters’ intentions, the unfolding plot, or the underlying themes. Analyzing the questions themselves, considering their implications, and exploring potential answers, encourages active reading and critical thinking. This process transforms passive consumption into an active engagement with the text, enriching the reading experience and leading to a more profound appreciation of the author’s craft.

Words of the Wiser⁚ Heeding Expert Advice

The “Words of the Wiser” signpost in the Notice and Note strategy focuses on instances where a character offers advice, insight, or commentary that reveals important information or sheds light on the story’s themes. This advice isn’t necessarily from a wise old sage; it can come from any character whose perspective provides a significant contribution to the narrative’s understanding. Identifying these moments requires careful attention to dialogue and narration, looking for statements that offer guidance, warnings, explanations, or interpretations of events. Analyzing the context of this advice—who is giving it, to whom, and why—is crucial for understanding its significance within the larger narrative. By paying close attention to “Words of the Wiser,” readers can gain a deeper appreciation for the author’s use of character development and thematic exploration, unlocking subtle nuances that contribute to a richer comprehension of the text.

Aha Moments⁚ Recognizing Realizations

Within the framework of Notice and Note, “Aha Moments” signify pivotal points in a narrative where a character experiences a sudden realization, a significant shift in understanding, or a critical epiphany. These moments often involve a character’s perspective changing dramatically, leading to new insights about themselves, others, or the situation at hand. Identifying “Aha Moments” requires close attention to shifts in a character’s language, behavior, or internal monologue. Look for instances where a character’s understanding is altered, often accompanied by emotional or behavioral changes. These moments are frequently marked by a change in tone or perspective. The significance of an “Aha Moment” lies not just in the realization itself but also in how it shapes the character’s subsequent actions and decisions, influencing the trajectory of the narrative. Analyzing these moments helps readers grasp the dynamic nature of character development and the evolving complexities of plot.

Tough Choices⁚ Examining Difficult Decisions

The “Tough Choices” signpost in Notice and Note highlights moments where characters grapple with significant decisions, often involving internal conflict and external pressures. These choices are rarely straightforward; they present characters with dilemmas that require careful consideration of competing values, potential consequences, and personal sacrifices. Identifying these moments involves examining the character’s internal struggles, their deliberations, and the factors influencing their final decision. Analyzing the decision-making process reveals much about the character’s values, motivations, and overall development. The consequences of these choices, whether positive or negative, often significantly shape the narrative’s trajectory and the character’s arc. Exploring the rationale behind these choices provides a deeper understanding of the characters’ complexities and the intricate dynamics of the story.

Repeated Words and Phrases⁚ Emphasizing Key Themes

The “Repeated Words and Phrases” signpost in the Notice and Note framework emphasizes the author’s deliberate use of repetition to underscore significant themes or ideas within a text. Recurring words, phrases, or imagery are not accidental; they serve to highlight central concepts, reinforce meaning, and create a sense of unity and cohesion. By noticing these patterns, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the author’s message and the underlying significance of particular motifs or concepts. This signpost encourages careful attention to the language itself, prompting readers to consider the author’s stylistic choices and their impact on the overall narrative. Analyzing repeated elements allows for a more nuanced interpretation of the text, revealing subtle layers of meaning often missed through cursory reading. The identification of these recurring elements provides a pathway to understanding the author’s intent and the text’s central themes.

Utilizing Notice and Note in the Classroom

Notice & Note’s six signposts enhance reading comprehension and critical thinking skills. Classroom integration improves student engagement and analytical abilities, leading to deeper understanding of literary texts.

Integrating Signposts into Reading Instruction

Seamlessly integrate the six Notice & Note signposts into your existing reading curriculum. Begin by explicitly teaching each signpost, providing clear definitions and multiple examples from various texts. Model the identification process, demonstrating how to locate and analyze signposts within a passage. Encourage active participation through collaborative activities, such as group discussions where students share their findings and interpretations. Incorporate regular practice opportunities, using diverse materials like short stories, poems, and excerpts from novels. Provide students with graphic organizers or guided note-taking templates to structure their analysis. Remember to emphasize the importance of textual evidence to support their observations and interpretations of the signposts. Regularly assess student understanding through informal checks, discussions, and written assignments. Gradually release responsibility, guiding students toward independent application of the signposts; Encourage students to apply these skills to independent reading selections. This gradual implementation ensures a deep understanding and effective application of the Notice & Note strategy. Remember to celebrate successes and provide constructive feedback to foster a positive learning environment.

Developing Student Skills in Identifying Signposts

Cultivating proficient signpost identification requires a multi-faceted approach. Initiate instruction with explicit lessons defining each signpost type, accompanied by diverse examples. Employ interactive activities, like sorting activities where students categorize excerpts based on the signpost present. Introduce graphic organizers to visually represent the signposts and their connections within the text. Encourage collaborative learning through partner or small-group activities, where students analyze texts together and share their findings. Integrate various text types, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, to broaden students’ experience. Provide opportunities for students to practice identifying signposts independently. Incorporate formative assessments, such as quick checks or short response questions, to gauge their understanding. Offer differentiated instruction to address individual learning needs and pace. Foster metacognitive skills by prompting students to reflect on their thought processes while identifying signposts. Encourage students to articulate their reasoning and justify their choices using textual evidence. Regularly review and reinforce previously learned signposts to maintain mastery. Celebrate successes and offer constructive feedback to motivate students and build confidence in their analytical abilities.

Creating Engaging Activities for Signpost Analysis

To make signpost analysis more engaging, consider incorporating interactive games and activities. Design a “Signpost Scavenger Hunt” where students locate and analyze specific signposts within a text. Develop a “Signpost Bingo” game, where students mark off signposts as they identify them in their reading. Create collaborative projects where students work together to analyze a text and present their findings. Use technology to enhance engagement; For instance, students can create digital presentations or videos showcasing their understanding of signposts. Incorporate role-playing activities where students act out scenes highlighting significant signposts. Organize debates or discussions based on the interpretations of signposts within a text. Encourage creative writing activities, such as writing alternative endings or sequels based on identified signposts. Utilize visual aids, such as mind maps or timelines, to illustrate the connections between signposts. Design escape rooms based on a text, incorporating signposts as clues to solve puzzles. Implement mystery-solving activities where students use signposts to uncover the solution. Consider using interactive whiteboards or online platforms for collaborative analysis. Reward students for their participation and contributions to foster a positive learning environment.

Resources and Further Exploration

Numerous online resources and articles offer further insights into Notice & Note. Teachers can find valuable materials and lesson plans to enhance their teaching. Heinemann, the publisher, provides additional support;

Teacher Resources and Materials

Educators seeking comprehensive resources for implementing Notice & Note in their classrooms will find a wealth of materials available. The original book, “Notice & Note⁚ Strategies for Close Reading,” by Kylene Beers and Robert E. Probst, serves as the foundational text, providing a detailed explanation of the six signposts and offering practical strategies for their application. Beyond the core text, numerous supplemental materials have emerged to support teachers in various contexts. These may include lesson plans tailored to specific grade levels and reading materials, worksheets designed to facilitate student practice in identifying signposts, and assessment tools to gauge student understanding and application of the strategy. Teachers Pay Teachers, a popular online marketplace for educators, offers a wide array of resources created by fellow teachers, providing diverse approaches and perspectives. These resources often include ready-to-use activities, engaging exercises, and adaptable materials to cater to different learning styles and classroom needs. Professional development workshops and online courses specifically focused on Notice & Note are also available, offering educators opportunities for in-depth learning and collaborative discussion with fellow educators, ensuring effective implementation and maximizing the benefits of this powerful close reading strategy.

Online Resources and Articles

The digital landscape offers a plethora of resources to support the effective use of Notice & Note signposts. Numerous websites dedicated to literacy education feature articles, blog posts, and webinars that delve into the theory and application of this close reading strategy. These online resources often provide practical examples of how to integrate Notice & Note into various curriculum areas and across different grade levels. Many websites offer downloadable materials, such as printable worksheets and lesson plans, that complement the core text and allow for flexible adaptation to diverse classroom settings. Furthermore, online communities and forums provide a platform for educators to share their experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange innovative ideas regarding the implementation of Notice & Note. These online discussions can be invaluable for problem-solving and staying updated on the latest research and best practices. Searching for “Notice & Note signposts” on educational platforms will yield numerous articles detailing the six signposts and offering practical advice for teaching close reading skills effectively. These resources often include links to further readings and relevant research, creating a robust network of support for educators seeking to enhance students’ comprehension and critical thinking abilities.